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Leading e-learning, educational services and training – powered by psychology

In 2004, three educational psychologists created Real Group to make a real difference to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Our mission today is to transform lives and societies by providing outstanding and inclusive professional development. Our values are inclusivity, integrity, positivity, curiosity, growth and sustainability.

Already globally recognised as being at the vanguard of our sector, we aim to expand further the professional development offered by Real Training and Dyslexia Action to become industry-leading examples of professional development utilising our innovative fusion of psychology, education and technology expertise.

Our group of companies strive for a world where effective and sustainable professional development is accessible to all professionals.

Real Group Brands

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Real Training

We’re the UK’s leading provider of training in educational testing and professional assessment. Our courses are taught by senior practising psychologists with real expertise. We deliver the best thinking, teaching and practice using the latest online learning technologies (Campus Online™).

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Real Psychology

Our experienced educational psychologists (EPs) deliver innovative and accessible educational psychology services across the UK and the globe. Our principal and senior EPs work with parents, schools and organisations to help each child fulfil their potential.

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Sporting and Educational Futures

We are an innovative, Ofsted 'Outstanding' apprenticeship training provider, creating opportunities and raising aspirations through apprenticeship pathways, in order for everyone to learn, train and upskill in education, PE, health, and wellbeing.

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Dyslexia Action Training

Our innovative online courses strengthen the expertise and confidence of education professionals who support students with literacy difficulties, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (SpLDs).

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Dyslexia Action Guild

As we’re an open membership group, we welcome all professionals with an interest in dyslexia/SpLD. We offer discussion, information and best practice in the field and an array of member resources. We are also a SASC-approved assessment practising certification body.

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Dyslexia Action Shop

Our shop was established in November 1995. We offer a range of carefully selected products that provide educators and the public with the best resources to improve outcomes. Our team is based in Real Group’s Canterbury offices.

Awards

News

February 16, 2024

As part of our commitment to continue providing up to date and relevant training for teachers and SEND professionals, we have recently reviewed and revalidated Real Training’s postgraduate programmes with Middlesex University.   The SEND & Inclusion programme has been expanded, and now features a wider range of modules. Specialist pathways have been introduced offering […]

February 7, 2024

We were delighted to see Jill Eaton, founding director of Educational and Sporting Futures, (a Real Group company) collect her MBE honour from Princess Anne at Buckingham Pace last week. The MBE was awarded to Jill in recognition of her outstanding contribution to raising the profile of apprenticeships in further education.   As the co-director […]

January 3, 2024

We are delighted to announce the launch of a new module designed to help SEND leaders drive more successful improvement initiatives. The 60-credit Auditing and Leading Improvement (ALI) module equips delegates with the knowledge to conduct a data-driven audit of their SEND provision and lead whole-school improvement projects. Delegates will create and roll out a structured improvement […]

All News

How we work

Our network of talented and expert individuals is led by a team of experienced psychologists and senior managers. We have a wealth of experience in the analysis and optimisation of learning needs, education environments and project management.

Executive Board

Mark Turner

Dr Mark Turner

Mark founded Real Training with Alan Macgregor in 2004 and is now Managing Director. Real Group is the third successful education enterprise that Mark has founded. Mark creates highly effective teams which embrace innovation and focus on impact. He completed his educational psychology doctorate in 2010. He publishes, speaks at conferences, and is a Governor of an inner London Secondary School. He is an alumni of the Goldman Sachs and the University of Oxford Säid Business School 10KSB programme.

Siobhan Mellor

Dr Siobhan Mellor

Siobhan has established and led teams of professional tutors and expert witnesses across Real Group. She excels in developing effective operational systems and teams and takes the lead role in managing the team and collating, interpreting and reporting quality-assurance data for the directors and Middlesex University. As an experienced EP, she has worked with children and young people in mainstream schools for almost two decades. She believes in helping educators to meet the needs of children with SEND.


Strategy Board

Dr Mark Turner and Dr Siobhan Mellor are standing members of the Strategy Board

Claire Imhofe

Claire Imhofe

Claire joined Real Group as Finance Director in September 2020, with over 20 years of financial experience, supporting both the commercial and charitable sectors. Claire is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CGMA), and has a BSc degree in Economics. As FD, Claire works collaboratively with the Directors of the Board, to ensure robust sustainable financial plans are in place; provides analytical insight, and financial consultancy, to drive continued strong business performance, and the achievement of Real Group’s strategic goals.

Louisa Moger

Louisa Moger

With over 20 years of business experience, Louisa is an expert in go-to-market strategy and has extensive, in-depth experience of working across a diverse range of sectors, from multinational corporations, government, not-for-profit and SME’s. She gained insights into how education and technology can contribute to improving the choices and voices of people with learning disabilities through extensive work with RIX Research & Media at the University of East London. Louisa is the founder and Managing Consultant for Evolve Consult, a published author and builds strategic capability for marketing leaders through her work as a Course Director with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.


Innovation

Mark Turner and Siobhan Mellor believe in the power of psychology and technology to change lives. Real Group constantly strives to stay at the leading edge of education technology and the latest thinking.

Programme leaders

Katie Hickin

Katie Hickin

MEd SEND Programme Lead

Katie has worked within educational settings for a decade as a teacher, a qualified SENCO, and a member of the Senior Management Team since graduating from the University of Cambridge with a Masters in Educational Research Practice. Now working for Real Group, Katie tutors and leads on Real Training's MEd SEND Programme, including the NASENCO and iSENCO qualifications.

Sarah Norris

Sarah Norris

Mental Health Programme Lead

Sarah joined Real Group as a senior educational psychologist, having had over 13 years experience working within a local authority. She has extensive experience of working with schools and young people for a range of SEN. She has a diploma in solution focused practice and has worked therapeutically supporting young people and developed and delivered an early intervention approach with a mental health service.

Jalak Patel

Jalak Patel

Professional Assessment Programme Lead

Jalak qualified as an Educational Psychologist in 2005, she worked in the UK before moving to Hong Kong to take up a post with the English Schools Foundation. Joining Real Group in 2017, Jalak is a facilitator of Real Training’s face-to-face intensive Certificate of Competence in Education Testing qualification. She has delivered lectures and workshops at higher education institutes and is an experienced conference speaker.

Nicola Margand

Nicola Margand

Dyslexia Action CPD Programme Lead

Nicola was a distance learning tutor first with the Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre and then with Dyslexia Action. She moved into higher education as a Dyslexia Support Tutor, screening students for dyslexia, supporting the study needs of students across a variety of university under and postgraduate courses. In 2022, she took on the role of CPD Programme Leader alongside tutoring on the suite of Dyslexia Action CPD courses.

Gill Cochrane

Gill Cochrane

MEd in Professional Practice in Dyslexia and Literacy & Level 5 Specialist Teacher Programme Lead

Gill has worked in the field of education for over twenty years. She writes and researches on the teaching of literacy and mathematics. Within Real Group, her work includes the design and management of courses to enhance teachers' professional development. Gill is the lead for the Masters of Education (MEd) in Professional Practice in Dyslexia and Literacy & the Level 5 Specialist Teacher Programme. She is also one of the lead developers on the Dyslexia Action Literacy Programme.


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Main switchboard

01273 35 80 80

Dyslexia Action

01784 22 23 04

Dyslexia Action Shop

01784 22 23 39

Find us

Greenwich office

Real Group Ltd, 4 Victoria Parade, London SE10 9FR, United Kingdom.

01273 35 80 80

Canterbury office

Real Group Ltd, 70-72 Stour Street, Canterbury, CT1 2NZ, United Kingdom.

01273 35 80 80

Staines office

Dyslexia Action, Centurion House, London Road, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4AX, United Kingdom.

01784 22 23 04

Stevenage office

Sporting Futures Training, Business Technology Centre, Bessemer Drive, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2DX, United Kingdom.

01438 79 10 68